PHILADELPHIA, Pa., June 19, 2008 – David Sender of Arlington Heights, Ill., who recently won the all-around at the 2008 Visa Championships, will not compete on the first day of the men’s competition (June 19) at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics. Sender sprained his ankle during training on June 18. In accordance with the men’s selection procedures, Sender has the option to compete on Saturday (June 21), if he so chooses, or if he does not compete, he may file a petition to be considered for the Olympic Team. The U.S. Olympic Team Trials run from June 19-22 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia
“We are taking this day by day,” said Thom Glielmi, Sender’s coach at Stanford University. “We are treating his sprain very aggressively, and the medical team has been very encouraged by the mobility and strength (of David’s ankle). We will see how things stand on Saturday.
“We need to submit the petition to the Olympic team tonight, but it does not preclude his competing on Saturday,” said Glielmi. “He’s looking stronger than he did at the Visa Championships and he was on track to peak here at the Trials. It is disappointing that he may not have the opportunity to show what the can contribute to the team.”
For the complete selection procedures, click here.
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics begins on June 19 at 7 p.m. with the first day of the men’s competition, followed by the women on June 20 at 7 p.m. Competition for the men concludes on June 21 at 3 p.m., and the women wrap up on June 22 at 6 p.m.
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports is a collaborative, three-way partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies and the local organizing committees.
Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics.